Healthy Homes Assessment Plimmerton

Rental Property Expert Advice

Healthy Homes Assessment Services

Did you be aware that the Healthy Homes Standards came into effective on July 1st, 2021? Landlords are now required to make sure that their Plimmerton rental properties meet the minimum Healthy Homes Standards within 90 days of a renewed or new tenancy and all private rental properties are required to be fully compliant by 1 July 2024.

The areas that are covered by the Healthy Homes Standards are:

• Draught Stopping
• Heating
• Insulation
• Ventilation
• Moisture Ingress & Drainage

We can assess your rental property and determine whether it’s in compliance with the NZ Healthy Homes and Residential Tenancy Acts standards. After assessing, we will advise you or your property manager about the work that needs to be completed, and provide an assessment report that includes all the details required for your tenancy contract’s Healthy Home Statement of Compliance.

Failure to comply with the requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards is a breach under the Residential Tenancies Act 1986, and landlords who are not following the rules could be subject to fines of up to $7,200 in addition to any healthy homes associated fines.

Our company is fully independent assessors of rental properties, and are fully certified to evaluate both Healthy Homes and Homefit.

Call Now (04) 280 6777

Rental Property Healthy Homes Fines

Fines for Failing to Comply

Since the 1st July of 2021, when a new or renewed contract is signed on a Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance items need to be done within 90 days.

As of 1st July 2021, when a brand new or renewed contract is signed on the Plimmerton rental property, all Healthy Homes compliance work must be finished inside of 90 days.

Inability to adhere to any of the Healthy Homes Standards inside of the expected timeframe can result in a fine of up to $7200. Additionally, if the most current Healthy Homes Statement of Compliance isn’t incorporated within an updated, renewed, or revised tenancy agreement, there could be an additional fine or violation fee.

Any tenant may request details regarding the Healthy Homes Standard and how they relate to the property they are living in. If the landlord or property manager fails to provide the information requested within 21 days of having received the inquiry, they will receive an infringement notice and could be fined up to $750.

Additionally, there is also a penalty of approximately $900 for landlords and property managers providing a false or false Healthy Homes Compliance Statement or information. The person who is liable for this fine is the one who is named on the lease agreement as the person who is renting the property and it could be the name of the landlord, or the property management company.

The information contained in the Statement of Compliance requirements to be up-to-date at the time that the tenancy agreement is signed. It is updated through the tenancy period as associated work has been completed.

It is crucial to be aware that landlords who own multiple rental properties may face even higher fines for non-compliance. The highest penalties are reserved for the most serious violations. Those who have six or more properties can receive fines of up to $50,000, or as high as $100,000 in the case of hearing claims.

If you fail to meet the Healthy Homes requirements can hit your wallet resulting in large fines in addition to still having to meet compliance. Do not risk your rental property Contact us now and make arrangements to have a house evaluation performed on your rental property.

See the full details for details on Residential Tenancies Act landlords responsibilities.

Healthy homes matter

Why is Healthy Homes Compliance so Important?

One in three households rent the property in New Zealand and Plimmerton, and research suggests that rental homes are most likely to be older, colder, have less efficient heating, and generally have lower quality than the houses of owners.

Moldy, damp and cold homes are associated with negative well-being outcomes, particularly diseases like colds and flu, asthma and cardiovascular diseases. Furthermore, people who experience four or more key house quality problems often experience less satisfaction in their lives and lower mental health.

Improving the standard of Plimmerton rental property can help tenants enjoy better mental and physical health and reduce the disturbance to learning, work and daily life because of health issues. Your investment will be protected from mildew, mould and damp , which means lower maintenance costs in the long run.

The Healthy Homes Standards are a list of the specific and minimum standards for Heating, Insulation Ventilation, Moisture ingress and Drainage, as well Draught Control on Plimmerton rental properties.

Contact us now to discuss receiving a Plimmerton Healthy Home assessment on your rental property now.

Unreasonable Gaps & Holes

Draught Stopping Plimmerton

Draughts may lead to dropping temperatures within houses. A cold house will cost more to heat, meaning wasting energy and incurring higher costs.

If a draught is perceived as a result of gaps or holes, it needs to be closed.

What are unreasonable gaps and holes?

If you can feel external air getting in, or see the air is clear from a gap or hole and you are able to feel it, it is probably a gap or hole that needs sealing in the way you can. Large gaps and cracks should be fixed permanently. Gaps greater than 3mm that allow air in or out within your house need seals. For instance, if an open fireplace isn’t used it can cause draughts and should be shut from. Property managers and landlords are responsible for ensuring that draughts from the fireplace are removed as much as imaginable.

You don’t require to cover up holes or gaps in the building. For example, tiny gaps around doors and windows may be required to allow for movement of the building when the house gets warmer and cooler, so that they are able to be opened and closed rather than being stuck. We will examine all doors and windows in an Healthy Homes assessment of your rental property.

See the full details regarding the Healthy Homes draught stopping requirements.

Adequate heaters are important for healthy houses

Heating Plimmerton

Rental properties in Plimmerton require a reliable source of heating that is able to heat the main or largest living room to at least 18 degrees Celsius, even on the coldest winter days. This is the recommended minimum indoor temperature recommended by the World Health Organisation for people’s physical well-being and mental outlook.

The source of heating needs to be fixed (i.e. not portable) with at minimum 1.5 kW in heating capacity, and it must have the minimum required heating capacity for the main living space. A Heating Assessment Tool could be used to determine whether your current permanent heater(s) are sufficient or whether you will need to "top up" with an additional heater. Open fires as well as unflued combustion heaters like the portable LPG bottle heaters are not considered to be suitable heating options for The Healthy Homes Standard.

If the heating you provide is electric heating or heat pump, then it must include an thermostat. This will make the heating more uniform and efficient. For most houses, larger fixed heating systems such as heat pumps, wood burners, pellet burners or flued gas heaters are needed. However, in certain instances like apartments with small spaces small apartments, a smaller electric fixed heater may suffice.

If your main living space is already equipped with a fixed heating source like heat pumps, it could need a top up in order to comply with the standards. Certain kinds of heaters aren’t able to be used to comply with the standard as they are either expensive, inefficient and/or unsafe to run.

Find the complete specifications on the Healthy Homes heating needs.

Ventilation Plimmerton

Each liveable space in a rental property must have at least one opening doors or windows to offer natural ventilation. In addition, high moisture areas such as kitchens or bathrooms need to have an venting fan outside to take moisture away.

This ventilation standard is about recognising it is that dried air can be much easier to heat and an apartment that is well-ventilated is less likely to develop mould and damp.

Bedrooms, living spaces, kitchens and dining rooms are considered to be liveable spaces. Connecting spaces like the hallway aren’t liveable and therefore don’t require an opening door or window.

Every window, door or skylight requirements to be able of opening to the outside, but remain fixed in an open position in order to allow for fresh air circulation and ventilation.

Bathrooms, kitchens, and every other room of your home with a bath, shower cooker or any other water-generating appliance will require adequate extractor fans which are vented to the outdoors. Our Healthy Homes Assessment service will make sure there is sufficient ventilation throughout the living spaces, including suitable extractor fans in areas with high moisture.

Find out all the details about the Healthy Homes ventilation standard.

A cozy dry home is a healthy home

Insulation Plimmerton

The insulation of the ceiling and underfloor is mandatory in all rental houses from 1 July 2019. Property managers and landlords should make sure that the insulation meets this new standard. In some instances, an existing insulation on the ceiling or in the sub floor space may require to be replaced or replaced.

A house that is well-insulated can reduce condensation and lower the chance of mould and dampness and will also make more easy to allow the household to hold warmth.

Insulation requirements to be in compliance with the R-values that are appropriate for your region.

The "R" stands for thermal resistance and is a measure of how well the insulation withstands heat flow. The more high the R-value, more efficient the insulation.

• Zone 1 - Auckland & Northland - ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 2 – The rest part of North Island except Taupo and the Central Plateau – ceiling R 2.9 and underfloor R 1.3
• Zone 3 - North Island Taupo, Central Plateau and all of the South Island – ceiling R 3.3 below floor R 1.3

See the full details of the Healthy Homes insulation quality.

Plimmerton Moisture Ingress & Drainage

The security of your rental home from moisture isn’t just about the inside; you have to make sure there is somewhere to allow surface, rain or ground water and also stop it from getting inside. When it comes to moisture and damp it is often the things you don’t notice that can become a big problem, causing damages to your investment and affecting the tenant’s health.

Properties that are rented must be equipped with effective drainage to eliminate rainwater, storm water and groundwater, with an appropriate runoff or outfall. Making sure that water is able to go, and also that it doesn’t sit beneath structures is an crucial aspect of keeping your property dry.

Alongside a drainage system to prevent moisture from entering, if your rental has an enclosed gap between your flooring and the ground, a ground water barrier must be put in place when it is reasonably practicable to do so.

A ground moisture barrier is usually a polythene sheet laid over the ground, to block any moisture in the ground from rising into the property. It also assists in preventing from causing damage to the flooring insulation.

Find out all the details of this Healthy Homes moisture ingress and drainage quality.

Is your rental a Healthy Home?

Rental Property Home Assessments Plimmerton

Areas of rental properties that are impacted with Health Homes Standards. Healthy Homes Standard in Plimmerton include each:

• Living Room
• Bedrooms
• Dining Rooms
• Bathroom
• Kitchens
• Laundry

Checking Your Healthy Home?

Home Assessments Plimmerton for Rental Properties

There are numerous concerns to look over in an home evaluation to determine if your rental property is in compliance with the minimal requirements of the Healthy Homes Standards. The most common are:

• Are the floor spaces insulated and is a ground waterproofing barrier?
• Does the ceiling insulation need replenishment or replacement?
• Can the unit heat up sufficient capacity?
• Is there adequate drainage and draught-stopping?
• Does the home have enough air circulation, including extractor fans?

The repercussions of not having an Healthy home in relation to regulations under the Residential Tenancies Act and consequently being on the wrong side of the ruling on tenancy services ruling can have a significant impact for landlords and property managers. For specialist guidance, contact us today and book your rental property home assessment.